Chapter One : The death of whore of Babylon
Maya Cruz, the famous multi-talented singer and actress, died mysteriously today. The police are already treating it as a suicide. Detective Hana Yuhyo from the Intelligence Division was dispatched to investigate the scene. Hana, a junior detective with dark hair and sharp, light-brown eyes, carried a heavy heart. Her husband had passed away two years ago, leaving her to raise their three-year-old daughter, Yuki, alone. Since childhood, Hana had dreamed of becoming a detective, but now, reality weighed on her. The salary was poor, and her demanding job left her with barely any time for Yuki. With a heavy sigh, Hana pulled on her latex gloves.
"According to the forensic report, how long ago did the deceased pass away?"
Hana asked the police officer standing next to her.
"The body hasn't been moved yet,"
the officer replied, his chest puffed out with unearned confidence.
"But it looks like she died about three hours ago. Personally, I'd write it off as a clear case of suicide."
He seemed immensely proud of his own guesswork.
Hana approached the lifeless body of Maya Cruz and began her examination. The former star's body was tilted to one side. The wound on her head was already quite dry. A pistol lay near her right hand, while a blank sheet of white paper rested to her left. The white paper caught Hana's attention, sending a flicker of surprise through her.She leaned closer, studying the expression frozen on the dead woman's face. Hana's eyes widened. Maya Cruz's eyes bore signs of intense rage-the look of someone utterly refusing to accept defeat. What could have happened in her final moments that made her fight back so fiercely against death?
Hana stood up and looked directly at the smug officer.
"You could call it a suicide, but Maya Cruz's body is telling a completely different story."
The officer frowned, taken aback.
"What do you mean by that?"
Hana's voice was cold and certain.
"This isn't suicide. It's a forced murder."
